Quote from rmorse:
Where ever you choose to trade securities:
If you would like added protection in a bankruptcy, consider funding your account with 3 month T-bills. Google for," A Joint Report of the SEC and the CFTC on Harmonization of Regulation.â If you go to page 33 second paragraph, it discusses a broker dealerâs obligation with regard to securities fully paid for. Securities in a brokerage account are safer than cash. They are easier to track and transfer.
The T-Bill is marginable at 95%. If your broker were to go bankrupt, SIPC normally transfers securities then looks to make up the missing cash. This would provide you with an added layer of protection. Using t-bills to fund your account will only reduce your buying power by a small percenge.
Bob